Sealed iphone off craigslist?

I'm looking at a sealed new old stock iphone off craigslist. What should i look out for, should check, and should ask the seller about? If it was stolen from a store would the imei or other numbers indicate it as such? Being sealed in box are the chances of the phone being ok/legit much better than a typical used, as-is, phone? Should i open the box and test it out right there in front of the seller?

The odds of this being a scam are pretty high. Ask to meet the seller *INSIDE* a store for your carrier. If they refuse, don't even bother. Don't meet in a parking lot or any other place except inside a carrier store. The carrier can verify the phone is not stolen, and will work on their network, and that it is in operable condition. Never, ever, buy a phone any other way.

Scam iPhone sales are the number 1 scam on Craig's List. If the price is too good to be true, it is a scam. Your "new old stock" is a red flag to me, and probably a scam. IPhones sell, they do not sit in stock until the model is no longer sold.

I would bet that the seller won't agree to your terms. If they do, get to the place plenty early and wait inside. If they won't come in, or they want you to come out and show them the money before they come in, it is a scam. Do not! Go and show them the money. They will take it, possibly harm you, and leave.

I've sold tons of junk and used to sell phones on craigslist.

Anyone who actually has a new or newer iPhone that's legitimate is going to sell it close to the MSRP price. No matter if it's sealed, or my favorite 'just used once', or if they've used it for a month. I've always been wary of anyone who's selling a sealed item. Why is it sealed? Where did it come from? Why didn't they want it? They could have returned the item and got more money back rather than selling it used on craigslist. Craigslist purchases need to be taken with a healthy dose of common sense.

You need the IEMI and serial numbers to check to see if it's legit. Caoedhen is correct in saying to meet in the store. Whenever I have sold a cellphone, I have always given the buyer the option to meet me in the store. Not only does this give them a chance to see if it's legitimate, but this also smooths out the transition for them. They will be able to walk out of that store with a usable phone. A good seller is going to be considerate of your needs.

There are plenty of fake iPhones and plenty of fake Samsung Galaxy phones and the replication has become uncanny. There are plenty of fly-by-night sellers on amazon and ebay selling these replicas.

The other issue I have taken with BNIB or Sealed items is if they're DOA (Dead on Arrival). I don't even bother with that stuff anymore. Luckily I have never bought or sold an unopened item that's dead, but I have bought my fair share of new phones and computer parts from retailers that have been dead or not working properly. This is part of the reason why retailers set up your new phone for you before you walk out of the store.